Grab Bar Attachment System

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus related to a system for attaching a grab bar into existing framing using, for example, a transition board is described. The transition board is attached to a grab bar wall via securing mechanisms that ensure the transition board is properly secured to the grab bar brackets. The securing mechanisms are located in an under channel of the transition board. The transition board with the grab bar attached is then securely installed by securing the transition board to wall studs through the transition board and the wall, resulting in a secure installation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/088,923, filed on Dec. 8, 2014.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus related to a system for attaching a grab bar into existing framing using, for example, a transition board.

BACKGROUND

Grab bars form an important part of modern-day housing adaptations for safety and are especially necessary in bathrooms and any other areas of a house or office to provide support for those with disabilities or age related limitations. A recent report published in the Journal of the American Planning Association forecasts that 28 percent of households will have at least one disabled resident by 2050. In 2000, 35 million Americans were 65 or older, representing 12 percent of the population. That number is expected to climb to 86 million by 2050, with seniors composing 21 percent of the population, according to U.S. Census Bureau projections. Therefore, code compliant installations of grab bars will be necessary for a very large segment of society in the coming years.

Grab bars may be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Grab bars are often installed after a building is constructed, which present special challenges since securing the grab bar in a code compliant manner to a wall is extremely important. If a grab bar fails while in use and it separates from the wall to which it is attached, serious injury can result. Since only 1% of the current housing stock in the US is considered “accessible” as per a 2007 publication in Housing and Society by Memken & Earley retrofitting a grab bar into an existing structure will be a common undertaking.

Traditionally grab bars have been fastened directly to the existing framing or—when that framing is not available—other types of specialty fasteners have been used to anchor the grab bar to the backside of the tile and drywall or plaster in order to provide a code compliant installation. It is difficult to attach a grab bar to existing framing because the probability of finding viable framing to mechanically fasten a grab bar during installation is very low, as 90% of a framed five foot section of a wall along the bathtub long wall, for example, is just empty space. It requires the builder to search for the framing and often requires penetration into the tile as stud finders do not have the accuracy to penetrate the structure of the tiled wall. Even if framing is found and a suitable stud is located, the builder is never certain if the screw has sunk into the belly of the wood framing. The risk of catching the framing on the edge of the stud is very real, which creates a splintering effect behind the wall, giving the builder a false positive that a code compliant installation has occurred. If this occurs, the grab bar has the potential to pull away from the framing when grabbed with enough force.

Today's building code dictates that 2 foot×4 foot stud framing is spaced every 16″ on center. Nevertheless, in older housing units, this may not be the case. Conventional guessing as to the location of the framing when one stud has been successfully discovered may not lead the builder to find additional studs where they should be located.

To complicate the installation further, the integrity of interior wood framing is never truly known. The existing framing may have been previously compromised due to other non-code compliant renovations, water rot, termite damage etc. and would no longer be considered structural.

The use of other existing specialty hardware that is code-compliant to hang a grab bar when framing is not available rests on the viability of the existing substructure, i.e., the drywall, plaster and/or tile. In the older, post-war housing stock which is found around many of the densely populated urban centers of the U.S., many elderly individuals still have dated bathrooms and the viability of the substructure becomes an unknown.

Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for a better apparatus and method to attach a grab bar securely to a wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a legacy grab bar system.

FIG. 2 shows a customary drywall system.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a first step of an improved grab bar system.

FIG. 4 shows a second step of an improved grab bar systems.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turing to FIG. 1, shown is a legacy grab bar that illustrates the flaws of such legacy systems. A legacy grab bar 100 comprises a grab bar body 110 that is secured to a wall 150 through two mounting brackets (the right mounting bracket is similar to the left mounting bracket 120 and is obscured by the right mounting cover 140). A left mounting cover 130 fits over the left mounting bracket 120 (the left mounting cover 130 is shown separated from the left mounting bracket 120 to show detail) and the right mounting cover 140 fits over the right mounting bracket.

To install the grab bar, the installer must insert securing mechanisms (not shown) through one or more of the holes 160 a-160 h within the left mounting bracket 120 and one or more of the corresponding holes (not shown) within the right mounting bracket 180. Although 8 holes 160 a-160 h are shown here, many grab bars have far fewer holes for securing the grab bar (some as few as 3).

The weakness of this legacy systems lies from using the holes 160 a-160 h and the corresponding holes in the right mounting bracket to probe for framing that will secure the grab bar 110 to the wall 150. For example, probing for framing through tile only gives the installer one chance at finding the framing when using a direct stainless steel screw method of attachment. If the framing is found, there is no way of verifying if the installer has sunk the screw into the “belly” of the stud or if the screw has “splintered” on the side of the stud.

Furthermore, the fixed length of the grab bar must fit perfectly between the studs to allow for a code compliant installation. Many times, one stud is found but the second point of attachment falls into a bay between the studs. Other times, the second point of attachment does occasionally cross another stud, but the bar must be placed at an angle or needs to go into a position that is not optimal for the client. To further complicate the installation, many of the grab bars have only a few holes in the flange on the point of attachment, which limits the location of a fastener and puts the installer at risk of “splintering” the framing upon installation.

The difficulties of installing the legacy grab bar as mentioned above are shown in FIG. 2, where a board 305 is being securely installed on a wall 300. Here, the studs 310 a, 310 b, 310 c (shown behind the wall in dashed lines) provide the best locations to secure the board 305 to the wall 300. The wall studs 310 a, 310 b, 310 c location will be difficult to identify since they are behind the wall 300. Thus, there may be a need to drill test holes into the existing substrate of the wall to ensure that the securing mechanisms drilled within regions 320 a, 320 b, 320 c are properly secured into the center the wall studs 310 a, 310 b, 310 c. avoiding any previously mentioned “splintering” of the stud. Since the board 305 will eventually cover all pilot holes, the installer is free to probe the wall until the center of all available framing is found and called out.

Once the center of the framing is located, the installer may fill all pilot holes with the appropriate building material to ensure a water tight substructure is left intact beneath the installed transition board.

While this technique works for the board 305, it will not work for the legacy grab bar in FIG. 1 since it is unlikely that all grab bar brackets (whether two, three or more) can be drilled into the wall exactly at the studs in regions 320 a, 320 b, 320 c due to its fixed length. Hence there is a need for the improved grab bar system as described herein.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a front sectional view and side sectional view of the use of a portion of an improved grab bar security system in accordance with the present invention. Shown with the grab bar system 200 is a transition board 210, a grab bar 430 with a grab bar mounting bracket 410. The grab bar mounting bracket 410 incorporates a plurality of bracket holes 420 a, 420 b, 420 c. Although three bracket holes are shown, more or less of these bracket holes may be used. The transition board 210 is bracket-shaped having two side brackets 475 a, 475 b such that there is an under-channel 480 defined by the side brackets 475 a, 475 b. The transition board 210 may be made of wood, plastic, metal or any suitable material.

In order to secure the grab bar 430 with the transition board 210, the grab bar system 200 takes advantage of a number of properties of the transition board 210. First the transition board 210 may contain a plurality of transition board holes 490 that may be used to match up with the bracket holes 420 a, 420 b, 420 c. The pattern and type of transition board holes 490 may be of any kind and may be chosen for practical and aesthetic reasons.

Second, the transition board 210 is bracket shaped such that it includes two bracket members 475 a, 475 b resulting in an under-channel 480. Screws and screw holders, nut and bolts, or other securing mechanisms may be used to secure the transition board 210 to the grab bar 430 via the transition board holes 490 and the bracket holes 420 a, 420 b, 420 c. The securing mechanism may be installed such that none of the securing mechanisms (whether nuts or other securing mechanisms) protrude beyond the two bracket members 475 a, 475 b and the under-channel 480. As will be shown, this will allow the transition board 210 to be secured to the wall in a flush manner.

As will be also shown, a grab bar cover may be part of the grab bar 430 to provide a smooth finish.

Depending on the nature of the grab bar 430, one or more grab bar systems 200 may need to be installed for any given grab bar. For example, if the grab bar is to be strictly horizontal, one transition board 210 may be sufficient to secure both sides of the grab bar 430. Multiple transition boards 210 will be needed if the grab bar 430 is diagonal, vertical, has one or more bends, or has 3 or more securing points to the wall. Thus, the length of the transition board 210 may be as long or short as needed and the same transition board 210 may or may not be used to secure the other end of the grab bar 430 (not shown).

Once the grab bar 430 is secured to one or more grab bar systems 200, the grab bar systems may then be installed on to the wall. Similar to FIG. 2, prior to this installation of grab bar system 200, an installer may probe for studs behind the wall with test drills or probes and locate the best place to ultimately install the grab bar system 200 for maximum stability. Once the best locations are located, the grab bar system is ready to be installed.

Turning to FIG. 4, shown is an installed system 700 with a typical drywall 500 having a wall stud behind it 530 (shown in dashes). The center of the stud borders 520 a, 520 b define the best place to secure the necessary apparatus to the wall 500. In this case, the grab bar 430 (now shown with a mounting cover 450) has been previously secured to the transition board 210 as in FIG. 3. Because the backside of the transition board 210 has the two bracket members 475 a, 475 b (not shown) which allows the securing mechanisms to be located within the under-channel 480 (not shown), the backside of the bracket members 475 a, 475 b of the transition board may be placed flush with the wall 500.

Once a wall stud 530 with borders 520 a, 520 b is located, the transition board 210 is secured via a securing mechanism 510 that is drilled or forced through the transition board 210, through the wall 500 and secured to the wall stud 530 located behind the wall 500. The presence of the transition board 210 has the added benefit of covering any unsightly test holes that were used to find the stud 530.

The securing mechanisms 510 may comprise screws, nails, bolts and the like. The wall 500 itself may consist of drywall, plaster or any other suitable material.

Sufficient securing mechanisms 510 and transition boards 210 may be installed at the needed places on the wall 500 in order to fully secure the grab bar 430.

After the transition board 210 is installed on the wall 300 as shown in FIG. 4, there one or more optional steps may be taken in order to provide a more uniform finish.

First, covers for the securing mechanism 510 may be installed.

Second, a cover for the transition board 210 may be installed. The transition board cover may fit over the transition board 210 and may consist of any material, including tile, drywall, brick, stone, slate, plastic, metal, wood, ceramic and the like. The transition board cover may be secured over the transition board 210 by means of a physical mating and/or adhesives and/or securing mechanisms such as screws, nails, bolts and the like.

Third, the shape of the transition board 210 may be designed such that in addition to the two bracket members 475 a, 475 b that are on the back of the transition board 210, these bracket members may be extended so that they are also in front of the transition board 210. This will leave a front channel on the front of the transition board 210 (in addition to the under channel 480). The installer may then install additional tile or other decorative objects on the front channel so that the entire installation has a smooth and aesthetic finish.

The use of the improved grab bar system accomplishes the following:

-   -   The builder no longer needs to rely on the integrity of the         substructure to perform a code compliant installation.     -   Using a transition board 210 allows for multiple pilot holes to         locate the edges of the existing framing and then finding the         mid-point of the framing for attachment. Further, the transition         board 210 masks all pilot holes allowing for a water-tight         installation.     -   The system allows for a code compliant grab bar installation at         any location along the length of the transition board 210.     -   The system allows for fastening the grab bar into the existing         framing at multiple points, thereby reducing the liability of         the installation of the grab bar.     -   The system will also mitigate the potential for injury as they         relate to grab bars pulling out of a poorly-structured wall when         used.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a board having a back side and a front side wherein two bracket members are attached to the back side and form an underchannel behind the back side of the board; a grab bar, the grab bar comprising: at least two mounting brackets; a bar member secured to each of the at least two mounting brackets; and at least two securing mechanisms for securing at least two mounting brackets to the board within the underchannel.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the grab bar further comprises at least two mounting bracket covers, wherein each of the at least two mounting bracket covers overlays each of the at least two mounting brackets.
 3. The apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising at least two securing mechanism covers for covering the at least two securing mechanisms.
 4. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the board is attached to the front of the board by an adhesive mechanism.
 5. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the board cover is attached to the front of the board by a physical mating.
 6. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the board cover provides a watertight seal over the front of the board.
 7. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the board comprises a design with holes.
 8. A system comprising: a wall having a front side and a back side; a plurality of vertical wall studs attached to the back side of the wall a board having a back side and a front side wherein two bracket members are attached to the back side and form an underchannel behind the back side of the board, wherein the two bracket members are flush with the front side of the wall and the board is secured to the front side of the wall via the plurality of the vertical wall studs using a plurality of securing mechanisms; a grab bar, the grab bar comprising: at least two mounting brackets; a bar member secured to each of the at least two mounting brackets; and at least one securing mechanism for securing at least one mounting bracket to the board via the underchannel of the board.
 9. The system as in claim 8, wherein the grab bar further comprises at least two mounting bracket covers, wherein each of the at least two mounting bracket covers overlays each of the at least two mounting brackets.
 10. The system as in claim 9 further comprising a board cover attached to the front of the board by a securing mechanism.
 11. The system as in claim 10 wherein the board cover comprises tile attached to the front of the board by an adhesive mechanism.
 12. The system as in claim 10 wherein the board cover is attached to the front of the board by physical mating.
 13. The system as in claim 10 wherein the board cover provides a watertight seal over the front of the board.
 14. The system as in claim 10 wherein the board cover comprises a color that contrasts with the color of the wall.
 15. The system as in claim 9 wherein the board comprises a design with holes.
 16. The system as in claim 9 further comprising: a second board having a second back side and a second front side, wherein two second bracket members are attached to the second back side of the second board and forms a second underchannel behind the second back side of the board, wherein the second back side of the second board is secured to the front side of the wall via the plurality of the vertical wall studs using a plurality of second securing mechanisms within the second underchannel; at least one second securing mechanism for securing at least one second mounting bracket to the second board through the second board cover.
 17. The system as in claim 16 further comprising a second board cover attached to the front of the second board by a securing mechanism
 18. The system as in claim 16 wherein the grab bar is vertical.
 19. The system as in claim 16 wherein the grab bar is diagonal.
 20. The system as in claim 16 wherein the grab bar comprises at least three attachment points with the wall. 